Verstappen has never felt closer to having a title shot

While he has passed the milestone of 100 career Grands Prix in the United States, Max Verstappen has never really had the opportunity to fight for the title, due to lack of adequate equipment. The 2019 campaign was supposed to be a season of transition for his team Red Bull with the arrival of a new engine manufacturer, Honda, which had experienced a comeback in F1 difficult before. 

With three victories, eight podiums, two pole positions (for three best times in Q3), and 260 points, the brilliant Dutchman has already improved his personal best mark and finds himself well placed to climb into the final Top 3 of the championship behind the untouchables Mercedes de Lewis Hamilton et Valtteri Bottas. 

Asked in Abu Dhabi if he had ever been so close to getting his hands on a car capable of challenging for the title, Verstappen replied in the affirmative. “ I actually think so, declared the Batavian. And the 2020 project leaves me with the same impression. 

Of course, we have to wait and see what the others do but our ambition is to naturally aim for the championship. We will do everything to be competitive from the start of the season ». 

If Verstappen displayed impressive consistency at the start of 2019, his RB15 was not yet able to compete with the Silver Arrow, nor the Ferrari SF90. The Milton Keynes team and its Japanese engine manufacturer then managed to make major changes which made it possible to change the appearance of the season. Honda announced ahead of the 2019 final that it had renewed its partnership with Red Bull and Toro Rosso, next year AlphaTauri, until at least 2021. 

« This is very promising, continued the recent winner of the Brazilian GP. We recorded good results. On the engine side, I am particularly satisfied with the reliability we demonstrated. The thruster itself has also progressed well but we still want more ». 

As for 3rd place in the Drivers' championship, Verstappen, who is competing for it with his rival Ferrari Charles Leclerc, attaches little importance to it. 

« Ok, it's nicer than finishing 4th or 5th but in 20 years when I look at the 2019 ranking it won't give me any particular satisfaction, it's only winning that interests us He concluded.